Old Bike Australasia — Issue 68 2017

46 :OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA

box and my Dad’s Honda 50 step thru. We were
accommodated at the Villawood Hostel in one of
those corrugated iron half round Nissen type huts.
We remained there for almost two years until dad
acquired a job. We then moved to a house in Banks-
town from where I joined the Navy in June 1970.
The hostel is now the Villawood Detention Centre.
“In January 1979, whilst moving furniture into my
mother-in-law’s new home in Meadowbank, (a
block of units) Jack Crowhurst came strolling up the
steps and introduced himself and within a few short
moments he had gone into his flat and come out

again, sleeves rolled up and started carrying furni-

ture up the steps to assist us. Soon he had rigged a

rope pulley system from the top floor window down

three floors and soon after that, we had all the

furniture in place.

“After completing the removal, Jack and I sat and

chatted and I advised him I was in the Navy as a

Marine Engineering Technician; I think the word

Engineering got him interested as a qualified

engineer himself. During my Mechanicians course at

HMAS Nirimba (fitter machinist course) I struggled

with some of the maths as well as some aspects of

the engineering side of things. Jack took to me

like a son and together we spent many nights

doing maths and engineering. He made it seem so

simple and I eventually passed and I think he was

genuinely proud of me as I was of him. The word

Mechanician is a Navy term for qualified

maintenance workers from memory.

“After completing the Mechanicians course Dec

1981, at HMAS Nirimba, I undertook a medical and

psyche test and was certified fit to train for

submarines (Oberons) and was posted to HMS

Dolphin (in UK) for 5 months for parts 1 and 2

SQUIRREL HOTEL

The DOHC 500 Norton ridden by Geoff Duke and Artie Bell

at Montlhery, France to a world record of 111.85mph for

two hours. Note the special fuel tank.

The 1952 350 Manx Norton purchased by Jack

Crowhurst. In the form shown in the museum,

it was fitted with ex-works rear shocks.

Mick Wood with Eric Biddle at the Squirrel Hotel.